Atomizer for hairdressing

ABSTRACT

This invention discloses an atomizer for hairdressing which generates micro-size liquid particles by means of electricity-mechanical power conversion elements as a source of ultrasonic wave. The atomizer for hairdressing of this invention intakes air and forcibly send it into a path made of an elastic member. Then it generates minute-diameter liquid particles from the surface of a stored liquid by means of the vibration of the electricity-mechanical power conversion means. Those liquid particles are heated and inducted into the above-mentioned path. The micro-size liquid particles having a diameter of several μm or less generated by the ultrasonic vibration can be controlled at a predetermined temperature. Moreover, the particles can be blown out independently or with hot or cool air.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an improved atomizer for hairdressing in whichmicro-size liquid particles are generated by utilizing anelectricity-mechanical power conversion element as a source ofultrasonic waves.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

To protect hair from damage such as peeling of the cuticle and splittingand tearing of the hair, and also to favorably keep the natural gloss ofthe hair itself, it is generally known that the moisture contained inhair (hereinafter referred to as "hair moisture content") should bemaintained at an optimum value, i.e., approximately 10% in relation tothe weight of hair.

To perform hairdressing without losing the hair moisture content, dryingor dressing of the hair is carried out by means of various hot airdryers (represented by a hand dryer) after shampoo or water spraying tomoisten the hair. Though it is effective to apply moisture to thecuticle of the hair to make hairdressing easier, most of the moisture iscollected on the cuticle of the hair by surface tension of the waterparticles generated on the cuticle of the hair. As a result, themoisture applied to the hair steams away during drying of the hair.Namely, since the volume of the moisture to permeate into the hair onlyby moistening the hair is very small, it is hard to protect the hair andto maintain the gloss of the hair because the hair moisture content tobe lost by drying cannot be sufficiently supplemented.

To solve this problem, various dryers which are provided with steamatomizers for atomizing water steam particles (hereinafter referred toas "steam") to the hair have been proposed. For example, a dryer inwhich a steam atomizer is installed in the controlling portion isdisclosed in Japan Published Examined Utility Model Application No.52-25335. A dryer in which the steam atomizer and the controllingportion are separately formed is disclosed in Japan Published ExaminedUtility Model Application No. 54-43907. Moreover, a dryer which isprovided with a pot-type hard hood is disclosed in Published ExaminedUtility Model Application No. 53-37806.

In the above-mentioned prior references, since hot steam is atomized tothe cuticle of the hair, hairdressing to straighten out kinky hair andcurl hair during applying a permanent can be facilitated. Moreover,since the steam to be sprayed includes more minute water particles incomparison with spraying water, the volume of the moisture content to bepermeated into the hair is increased. As a result, the moisture content(the ideal volume of the moisture contained in the hair is approximately10% in relation to the weight of the hair) to be lost due to hot airdrying can be effectively supplemented to protect the hair from damageand to keep the gloss of the hair.

On the other hand, the steam particles having an average diameter ofapproximately 30 to 50 μm are a few μm larger than those considered tobe ideal to permeate into the hair. Therefore, the permeation of themoisture into the hair is insufficient even if steam is sprayed. Namely,the aforementioned ideal value of the hair moisture has not beenattained yet.

Moreover, the temperature of the spraying steam is so high that there isa possibility of being scalded due to spraying of hot steam onto theface, dropping of hot water drops collected at the atomizer end portion,and long time spraying of steam. Especially, in case of a dryer in whichthe steam atomizer is installed in its controlling portion, it isapprehended that hot water may flow out. On the other hand, in a dryerwhich is provided with a pot type hard hood, a steam blow-out hole isinstalled in the hard hood in order to prevent the user from gettingscalded. This type, however, is still insufficient to prevent theoccurrence of scald. If the head of the user touched at the hood, thereis still a possibility of getting scalded.

Furthermore, the prior art dryers include another problem. If thetemperature of the steam is decreased, the steam particles become waterdrops. It is, therefore, necessary to keep the temperature of the steamnear 100 ° C. even in the case when such a high temperature steam is notnecessary. The high temperature may result in deteriorating theelasticity of the hair more than expected.

A mist atomizer for generating water particles (hereinafter referred toas "mist") by means of the ultrasonic vibration based on anelectricity-mechanical power conversion element such as a piezoelectricvibration element to atomize the mist into a predetermined space isdisclosed in Published Examined Patent Application No. 61-35912 andPublished Examined Patent Application No. 61-25427.

According to this prior art mist atomizer, the mist having a minuteparticle diameter is effectively sprayed into the air, so that thefavorable humidification by the floating mist and the improvement ofburning efficiency can be realized.

The mist sprayed from the mist atomizer has no possibility of scald, andthe particle is more minute than that of the steam. The diameter of themist particle, however, has not been unified into the size that isappropriate for permeating into the hair or that allows the floating ofthe mist particles in the air for a long time. Accordingly, even if themist atomizer is used during drying the hair by hot air, the hairmoisture content can not be sufficiently supplemented. In detail, themist particles of large diameter contained in the spraying mist willcollide with the cuticle of the hair, and easily become water drops. Asa result, other mist particles in a small diameter will cause a chainreaction to be merged into the water drops composed of thelarge-diameter particles. When the mist is changed into the water dropson the hair cuticle, the water drops are collected on the hair cuticledue to the act of surface tension. Those collected water drops steamaway due to the hot air, so that the volume of the moisture to permeateinto the hair becomes small. Moreover, to prevent the steam fromchanging into the water drops by decreasing the temperature of thesteam, the temperature of the steam shall be kept at approximately 100°C. even in the case that such a hot mist is not required. As a result,the elasticity of the hair is deteriorated more than expected.

The mist sprayed from the mist atomizer can be quickly obtained incomparison with steam. Since the particle diameter is minute, it isappropriate to supplement the hair moisture content. On the other hand,since the temperature of the mist to be sprayed is as low as that ofwater, it may decrease the temperature of the hot air of the hair dryeror the room temperature increased by a heater, etc. though there is nopossibility of being scalded. Moreover, when it is used for the sprayingof fuel, it takes a relatively long time to catch fire.

Even if a certain heating unit which is installed in a hot air dryersuch as a hand dryer is provided to the route of the mist in theabove-mentioned mist atomizer, it is hard to increase the temperature ofthe mist up to a desired temperature because the specific heat of themist is higher than that of the air.

One object of the present invention is to provide an atomizer for hairdressing to be used for applying moisture to the hair to facilitate thehair dressing operation, in that the moisture is permeated into the hairto supplement the loss of the hair moisture content to keep it at theideal value and thus to protect the hair from damages while drying thehair, and moreover the water particle controlled at the idealtemperature can be sprayed without fear of scald.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an atomizer whichenables the spraying of liquid particles whose diameter is unified intoa minute size less than a few μm.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an atomizer inwhich the temperature of the liquid particles having a micro-sizediameter can be increased up to a desired temperature without fear ofbeing scalded, and moreover the liquid particles kept at the desiredtemperature can be sprayed.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide anatomizer for hair dressing which provides a variety of usages such asperming, coloring, treatment and nourishment of the hair, facialsteaming, etc.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

To achieve the above-mentioned objects, the present invention adopts themeans of a first embodiment as set forth below. Namely, as shown in thefundamental structure drawing of FIG. 1A;

an air feeding means M1 for intaking air and for forcibly feeding theair;

an air ventilating means M2 for forming an air path in which air is fedby the above-mentioned air feeding means M1;

an end heating means M3 which is installed in an air blow-out hole ofthe air ventilating means M2 for optionally heating the air passingthrough the path;

a liquid particle generating means M4 which is provided with anelectricity-mechanical power conversion element for oscillating thecollected liquid to generate liquid particles having a micro-sizediameter from the surface of the collected liquid; and

a liquid particle heating and inducting means M5 which is providedbetween the liquid particle generating means M4 and the air ventilatingmeans M2 for optionally heating the liquid particles generated by theliquid particle generating means M4 and for inducting those particlesinto the path formed by the air ventilating means M2.

The air feeding means M1 of the atomizer for hairdressing of the presentinvention functions to forcibly feed the intake air. The air fed by theair feeding means M1 passes through the path formed by the airventilating means M2 which is composed of an elastic member, and reachesthe end heating means M3 installed in the blow-out portion of the airventilating means M2. The end heating means M3 functions to optionallyheat the air passing through the path of the air ventilating means M2.

On the other hand, the liquid particle generating means M4, which isprovided with the electricity-mechanical power conversion element foroscillating the collected liquid, generates the liquid particles havinga micro-size diameter from the surface of the above-mentioned collectedliquid by means of the oscillation of the element. The generated liquidparticles are optionally heated up to a predetermined temperature by theliquid particle heating and inducting means M5 provided between theliquid particle generating means M4 and the air ventilating means M2.Then, the particles are conducted into an optional portion in the pathof the air ventilating means M2. Accordingly, the cold air, the airheated by the end heating means M3 including cold liquid particles, orthe liquid particles heated by the liquid particle heating andconducting means M5 is blown out from the end heating means M3.

To achieve the above-mentioned objects, a second embodiment of thepresent invention adopts the means set forth below. Namely, as shown inthe fundamental structure drawing of FIG. 1B, an atomizer of thisinvention includes:

a liquid particle generating means M1 which is provided with anelectricity-mechanical power conversion element for oscillating theliquid collected in a tank up to a predetermined level to generateminute-diameter liquid particles from the surface of the collectedliquid at a predetermined water level by oscillating theelectricity-mechanical power conversion element;

a supplement means M2 for supplementing liquid to the liquid particlegenerating means M1;

a water level detecting means M3 for detecting the level of thecollected liquid;

a conversion element control means M4 for actuating and controlling theelectricity-mechanical power conversion element of the liquid particlegenerating means M1 based on the result detected by the water leveldetecting means M3;

a space dividing means MI for dividing the space above the surface ofthe collected water in the water tank of the liquid particle generatingmeans M1 into the upper and the lower spaces;

a path constructing means MII for constructing a path for partiallyconnecting the lower space and the upper space by penetrating thedividing portion;

an air supply means MIII for supplying air to the lower space; and

a blow-out hole MIV which is provided on the side wall of the tank fordirectly connecting the upper space and the outside air.

On the other hand, a third embodiment of the present invention includesthe following means. Namely, as shown in the fundamental structuredrawing of FIG. 1C, the atomizer of this invention includes:

a liquid particle generating means M1 which is provided with anelectricity-mechanical power conversion element for oscillating theliquid collected in a tank up to a predetermined level to generateminute-diameter liquid particles from the surface of the collectedliquid at a predetermined water level by oscillating theelectricity-mechanical power conversion element;

a supplement means M2 for supplementing the liquid to the liquidparticle generating means M1;

a water level detecting means M3 for detecting the level of thecollected liquid;

a conversion element control means M4 for actuating and controlling theelectricity-mechanical power conversion element of the liquid particlegenerating means M1 based on the result of the water level detectingmeans M3; wherein the supplement means M2 includes

a supplement liquid storing portion M2I for storing the liquid to besupplemented to the liquid tank of the liquid particle generating meansM1;

a supplement liquid path M2II extending from the portion below thebottom of the liquid tank to the liquid tank for passing the liquid inthe liquid tank;

a supplement liquid pumping portion M2III which is provided between thesupplement liquid path M2II and the supplement liquid storing portionM2I, for pumping the liquid stored in the supplement liquid storingportion M2I to the supplement liquid path M2II in response to thepredetermined liquid level of the liquid tank; and

a drain pipe M2IV formed at the lowest portion of the supplement liquidpath M2II, which is optionally opened and closed.

An atomizer of a fourth embodiment of the present invention includes themeans as shown in the fundamental structure drawing of FIG. 1D. Namely,the atomizer includes:

a liquid particle generating means M1 which is provided with anelectricity-mechanical power conversion element for oscillating theliquid collected in a tank up to a predetermined level to generateminute-diameter liquid particles from the surface of the collectedliquid at a predetermined water level by oscillating theelectricity-mechanical power conversion element;

a supplement means M2 for supplementing the liquid to the liquidparticle generating means M1;

a water level detecting means M3 for detecting the level of thecollected liquid;

a conversion element control means M4 for actuating and controlling theelectricity-mechanical power conversion element of the liquid particlegenerating means M1 based on the result detected by the water leveldetecting means M3; wherein the liquid level detection means M3 includes

a wave motion interrupting means M3I for interrupting the wave motiongenerated on the surface of the liquid in the tank from beingtransmitted within a predetermined range of the liquid surface; and

a liquid level detecting portion M3II for detecting the liquid level ofthe above-mentioned predetermined range of the wave motion interruptingmeans M3I.

The liquid particle generating means M1 of the atomizer of the secondembodiment stores the liquid supplied by the supplement means M2 up to apredetermined level of the liquid tank, and transmits the vibration ofthe electricity-mechanical power conversion element to the liquid,thereby generating the minute-diameter liquid particles from the surfaceof the stored liquid. The generated liquid particles move up from thelower space to the upper space, which spaces are divided by the spacedivision means M1 by passing through the path formed by the pathconstruction means MII for partially communicating the lower space andthe upper space.

Moreover, the air supply means MIII supplies air to the lower space toactivate the rising of the generated liquid. At the same time, the airsupply means MIII blows out the liquid particles from the path into theupper space in various directions, so that the liquid particles areblown upon the side and the upper surfaces of the upper space. Theliquid particles which move up and occupy the upper space are blown outfrom the blow-out hole IV formed on the side surface of the liquid tank.On the other hand, the liquid level of the liquid tank detected by theliquid level detection means M3 is output to the conversion elementcontrol means M4. Based on this result, the conversion element controlmeans M4 actuates the electricity-mechanical power conversion element,and controls the volume of the liquid particles to be generated.

The atomizer of the third embodiment generates liquid particles from theliquid stored in the liquid tank by utilizing the oscillation of theelectricity-mechanical power conversion element of the liquid particlegenerating means M1. The volume of the liquid particles to be generatedis adjusted by the liquid level detection means M3 for detecting thelevel of the liquid stored in the tank and the conversion elementcontrol means M4 for actuating and controlling theelectricity-mechanical power conversion element based on the detectedresult. Moreover, the supplement liquid pumping means M2III of thesupplement means M2 feeds the liquid stored in the supplement liquidtank M2I in response to the predetermined level of the tank of theliquid particle generating means M1, by means of the supplement liquidpath M2II extending from the portion below the bottom of the liquid tankto the liquid tank. All of the liquid in the supplement liquid path M2IIis discharged by opening the open/close drain pipe M2IV formed at thelowest portion of the supplement liquid path M2II.

The atomizer of the fourth embodiment generates the liquid particlesfrom the surface of the liquid in the tank supplied by the supplementmeans M2 by means of the oscillation of the electricity-mechanical powerconversion element of the liquid particle generating means M1. Moreover,the wave motion interrupting means M3I installed in the liquid leveldetection means M3 interrupts the wave motion generated on the liquidsurface from spreading within a predetermined range so as to prevent thewave motion from affecting the liquid level in the above-mentionedpredetermined range. On the other hand, the liquid level detectionportion M3II of the liquid level detecting means M3 detects the liquidlevel in the predetermined range of the wave motion interrupting meansM3I as the liquid level of the tank. Based on this result, theconversion element control means M4 actuates the electricity-mechanicalpower conversion element and controls the volume of the liquid particlesto be generated.

To achieve the above-mentioned objects, an atomizer of a fifthembodiment adopts the means as shown in the fundamental structuredrawing of FIG. 1E. Namely, the atomizer of the fifth embodimentincludes:

a liquid particle generating means M1 which is provided with anelectricity-mechanical power conversion element for oscillating theliquid collected in a tank to generate minute-diameter liquid particlesM from the surface of the collected liquid at a predetermined level byoscillating the electricity-mechanical power conversion element;

a liquid particle blowing means M2 for inducting the liquid particles Mgenerated by the liquid particle generating means M1 into a blowing pathR and for blowing out the liquid particles from the blow-out hole withthe flow of the air passing through the air path R; and

a heating means M3 which is provided along the air path R of the liquidparticle blowing means M2.

As shown in the fundamental structure drawing, FIG. 1F, a sixthembodiment of the invention shows the atomizer of the first embodimentin that the air path R of the liquid particle blowing means M2 is bentin the upstream side of the heating means M3 which is provided in theair path R.

A seventh embodiment of invention represents an atomizer of the first orsecond embodiments including the means as shown in the fundamentalstructure drawings FIGS. 1G and 1H. Namely, the effective diameter ofthe blowing path in the range in which the heating means M3 is arrangedis larger than that of the path in the upper stream side.

An eighth embodiment of shows the atomizer of the first, second or thirdembodiment including the means as shown in the fundamental structuredrawings of FIGS. 1I, 1J, 1K and 1L. Namely, the effective diameter ofthe blowing path in the range in which the heating means M3 is arrangedis larger than that of the path in the lower stream side.

The liquid particle generating means M1 of an atomizer based on theinventions of the fifth, sixth, seventh or eighth embodiments generatesthe minute-diameter liquid particles M from the surface of the collectedliquid by oscillating the electricity-mechanical power conversionelement. The generated liquid particles M are inducted into the blowingpath R by the liquid particle blowing means M2.

Since the heating means M3 of the atomizer of the fifth embodiment is inthe form of a long strip, the distance of the blowing path R of theliquid particle blowing means M2 for arranging the heating means M3 islong. Since it takes time for the liquid particles M to pass through theblowing path in the above-mentioned distance, the liquid particles M areheated by the heating means M3 before being blown out from the blow-outhole.

The bent blowing path R of the atomizer shown in the sixth embodimentdisturbs the flow of the air in the downstream side from the bentportion. Accordingly, it takes time for the liquid particles M to passthrough the blowing path R in the downstream side from the bent portion.In the downstream side from the bent portion, the liquid particles areheated by the long strip type heating means M3, and blown out from theblow-out hole.

The blowing path R of the atomizer of the seventh embodiment, having thelarger effective diameter, retains the liquid particles M flown from theupstream side of the path having the smaller effective diameter withinits larger-diameter path for a long time. Namely, it takes time for theliquid particles M to pass through the blowing path R in the largereffective diameter. The liquid particles M are heated by the long striptype heating means M3 which is arranged in the large-diameter path R,and blown out from the blow-out hole.

The blowing path R of the atomizer of the eighth embodiment having thesmaller effective diameter, regulates the inflow of the liquid particlesM from the larger effective diameter path R, and retains the liquidparticles in the larger-diameter path R for a long time. Namely, ittakes a long time for the liquid particles M to pass through thelarge-diameter air path R. The liquid particles M are heated by the longstrip type heating means M3 arranged in the large-diameter air path, andblown out from the blow-out hole.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F, 1G, 1H, 1I, 1J, 1K and 1L are blockdiagrams showing the fundamental structure of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a mist blower of an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 3A is a side view showing a main part of the mist blower includingits sectional view;

FIG. 3B is a sectional view taken along line 3B--3B of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3C is a view in the direction of arrow A of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4 is a view in the direction of arrow B partially including thesectional view of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view showing a main part of a component ofthe mist blower;

FIG. 5B is a perspective view thereof;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6--6 of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line 7--7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line 8--8 of FIG. 4; and

FIGS. 9 and 10 are the drawings for explaining the method ofapplication.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT OF THE INVENTION

The explanation of a preferred embodiment of the present invention isset forth below in reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an atomizer for hairdressing(hereinafter referred to as "mist blower") 1 of the present embodiment.As shown in the figure, the mist blower 1 has a shape of the letter-Uwhich is composed of a water tank 20 (to be described later), a base 2on which a mist generating bath 30 is set, a side wall 4 (to bedescribed later) extending from one end of the base 2, in which a mistheater 70 and an outside air blower 80 (to be described later) arestored, and an upper seat 6 projecting from the upper end of the sidewall 4 in parallel to the base 2.

On the bottom surface of the base 2, four casters 2a are provided, sothat the mist blower 1 is freely movable on the floor. Moreover, thebase 4 is equipped with a removable base cover 2b. At the corner of thebase cover 2b, a cap 2c is provided for putting in and removing a watersupply container 24 for supplying water to the water tank 20.

On the side wall 4, a number of air inlets 4a are formed to supply airinto the outside air blower 80. Moreover, a flexible outer hose 8 whichstores a mist hose 66 (to be described later) extends from the sidesurface. At the end of the flexible outer hose 8, a removable endcylindrical member 10 is provided so that various types of attachmentscan be attached to it. The length of the outer hose 8 extending from theside wall to the end cylindrical member 10 is appropriate for a hairdressing staff to perform hairdressing operations with the endcylindrical member 10 in his or her hand. Moreover, since the endcylindrical member 10 has a light weight, a load to be applied to thehand of the hairdressing staff can be reduced. On the other hand, a pairof rotatable handle attachments 4b is provided on the upper part of bothsides of the side wall 4. Moreover, both ends of a U-shaped handle 12are connected to this pair of handle attachments 4b. Though the handle12 is normally fixed at the position along the upper seat 6 as shown inthe figure, it can be fixed orthogonally to the illustrated position byrotating the handle 12 around the handle attachment 4b. The flexibleouter hose 8 is normally stored between the handle 12 and the upper seat6.

Under the upper seat 6, a tray 14 in which various attachments can bestored is provided. The tray 14 is rotatable around a leg 6a extendingfrom the root of the upper seat 6. Moreover, a control unit 16 is set atone corner of the upper seat 6 to execute various controls includingactuation of the outside air blower 80 and adjustment of the volume ofthe mist to be generated.

Detailed explanation of various components are set forth below. FIG. 3Ais a side view of a main part of the mist blower 1 including itssectional view. FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view taken along line3B--3B of FIG. 3A. FIG. 3C and FIG. 4 respectively show the views in thedirections of arrow A and arrow B of FIG. 3A. FIG. 5 is a side view ofthe end cylindrical member 10 partially including its sectional view.

As shown in FIG. 3A, on a plate 18 which is fixed on the base 2, thewater tank 20 and the closed mist generating tank 30 are formed. Thewater tank 20 is divided into a tank holding chamber 22 and a supplementwater storage chamber 23 by an intermediate plate 21 which is equippedwith a through hole 21a in its center. The mist generating tank 30 isalso divided into the upper and the lower chambers by a partition board31. The lower chamber is a water storage chamber 32 and the upperchamber is a mist storage chamber 33. In the tank holding chamber 22, awater supply container 24 for optionally supplying a predeterminedvolume of water is installed.

A communicating path 41 for connecting the mist generating tank 30 andthe water tank 20 at the position under the bottom of those tanks isprovided under the plate 18. Moreover, a water supply/drain pipe 40, oneend of which is communicating with the path 41 and the other end ofwhich is protruding outside the base 2 to form a drain pipe 42, is alsoprovided. An open/close type drain valve 43 is attached to the end ofthe drain pipe 42 of the water supply drain pipe 40. The water Hsupplied from the water supply/drain pipe 40 flows into the supplementwater inlet 18a at the center of the bottom of the mist generating tank30 and is stored in the water storage tank 32. On the other hand, hairand dust are collected in the communicating path 41 of the watersupply/drain pipe 40 or the drain pipe 42, so that contaminants neverenter the water storage chamber 32. Dust can be easily taken out fromthe drain valve 43. Moreover, the position where the intermediate board21 is located is slightly higher than the surface of the water stored inthe supplement water storage chamber 23, so that an unexpected change ofthe water level can be controlled.

The mist generating tank 30 is equipped with a mist blower 50 forblowing a small amount of air to an attachment (not shown). One end of acasing 51 of the mist blower 50 penetrates the side wall of the waterstorage chamber 32 to connect the inside of the casing 51 and the waterstorage tank 32. A fan 52 installed to be pivotally movable in thecasing 51 is rotated by a motor (not shown) in the direction of thearrow in the figure to feed air from an air hole 51a in the casing 51into the water storage chamber 32. Thus, the minute-diameter waterparticles (hereinafter referred as "mist") are generated from thesurface of the water H stored in the water storage chamber 32 by theintake air and the vibration of ultrasonic vibration element 18bprovided on the plate 18. Then the mist penetrates the partition board31 and passes through a mist collecting pipe 34 to reach the miststorage chamber 33. Since the water storage chamber 32 and the miststorage chamber 33 are connected by means of the mist collecting pipe34, the air supplied from the mist blower 50 promotes the rising of themist in the pipe. The raised mist floats in the mist storage chamber 33.Since the mists having a large diameter collide with the upper plate ofthe mist storage chamber 33 and change into a water drops, only themists in a small diameter (approximately 3 μm) keep floating. The mistdiameter is acceptable when it is 30 μm or less, and preferable when 6μm or less. The most desirable diameter is 3 μm or less.

On the peripheral wall of the mist storage chamber 33, a mist inductionpipe 61 and a mist by-pass pipe 62 which penetrate the wall are fixedlyprovided (see FIG. 4). Moreover, a rotary solenoid 35 for rotating ashaft 35a is formed on the upper surface of the mist storage chamber 33.The shaft 35a is inserted in the mist storage chamber 33, and a pipeblocking plate 35b is provided at the end of the shaft 35a.

On the peripheral wall of the mist storage chamber 33, a mist inductionpipe 61 and a mist by-pass pipe 62 which penetrate the wall are fixedlyprovided (see FIG. 4). Moreover, a rotary solenoid 35 for rotating ashaft 35a is formed on the upper surface of the mist storage chamber 33.The shaft 35a is inserted in the mist storage chamber 33, and a pipeblocking plate 35b is provided at the end of shaft 35a.

A mist heater 70 is formed and fixed on the inside surface of the sidewall 4, and a mist induction pipe 61 is connected to the upper end ofthe mist heater 70. A hot mist induction pipe 63, which is connected tothe lower end of the mist heater 70, is connected with the mist by-passpipe 62 at the middle of the path. The hot mist induction pipe 63 has aform of the letter-L (see FIG. 3B), and it is held at a slight downwardinclination toward the mist by-pass pipe 62. On the other hand, the mistby-pass pipe 62 is held at a slight upward inclination, and an upwardL-shaped hose attachment 64 is connected to the other end of the mistby-pass pipe 62. When the pipe blocking plate 35b, in the mist storagechamber 33, is rotated by the rotary solenoid 35, an open end 61a of themist induction pipe and an open end 62a of the mist by-pass pipe arealternatively closed (see FIG. 4). The 3 μm-diameter mist floating inthe mist storage chamber 33 flows into either one of the mist inductionpipe 61 or the mist by-pass pipe 62. The mist that flew into the mistby-pass pipe 62 directly reaches the hose attachment 64. The mist thatflew into the mist induction pipe 63 reaches the hose attachment 64 byway of the mist heater 70 and the hot mist induction pipe 63. On theother hand, water drops collecting pipes 65a and 65b are respectivelyprovided between the mist induction pipe 61 and the supplement waterstorage chamber 23 and between the mist by-pass pipe 62 and the chamber23 (See FIG. 4). The water drops collecting pipes 65a and 65b are smalldiameter tubes for collecting the water drops in the supplement waterstorage chamber 23 when the mist is changed into the water drops in theabove-mentioned pipes.

Moreover, the outside air blower 80, which is able to blow a largeamount of air, is fixed to the plate 18 extending from the side wall 4by means of an attachment 80a. An outside air blowing pipe 83 in theform of letter-L is connected to the casing 81 of the outside air blower80 to provide an air path for feeding the air blown by a fan 82 rotatingin the arrow direction shown in the figure (See FIG. 3C). The upper endof the outside air blowing pipe 83 is fixed in parallel with the hoseattachment 64 of the mist by-pass pipe 62. Moreover, one end of theflexible outer hose 8 having the end cylindrical member 10 at the otherend is attached so as to cover the upper end portions of the hoseattachment 64 and the outside air blowing pipe 83. The flexible outerhose 8 stores in its inside the flexible mist hose 66 which is connectedwith the hose attachment 64 and extends to the end cylindrical member10, and a flexible air hose 84 which is connected with the outside airblowing pipe 83 and extends to the end cylindrical member 10.

The end of the air hose 84 is fitted in a small air hose insertion hole10a which penetrates the end cylindrical member 10 as shown in FIG. 5.The mist hose 66 penetrates the peripheral wall of the air hose 84 andis fixed in front of the position where the air hose 84 is fitted in theair hose insertion hole 10a. Namely, the inside of the above-mentionedboth hoses are in communication with each other. Moreover, the endcylindrical member 10 is provided with a middle-size heater insertionhole 10b and a large-diameter attachment insertion hole 10c. In theheater insertion hole 10b, a known honeycomb constant temperature heatermade of ceramics, i.e., a PTC heater 11, is inserted and fixed (see FIG.5B). In the attachment insertion hole 10c, various attachments (to bedescribed later) are removably inserted. On the other hand, theembodiment without adopting the PTC heater 11 is possible. A lead wire11a, which is distributed from the control unit 16 of the upper seat 6into the side wall 4 and the flexible outer hose 8, is connected withthe PTC heater 11 in a small hole 10d which is formed toward the heaterinsertion hole 10b. This lead wire 11a is distributed from the flexibleouter hose 8 to the above-mentioned small hole 10d through a groove 10eformed around the end cylindrical member 10. By supplying resins or thelike into the small hole 10d and the groove 10e, it is possible toprevent unexpected movement of the lead wire 11a and to maintain anappropriate wiring condition.

By means of the above-mentioned constitutions, the air blown by theoutside air blower 80 passes through the outside air blowing pipe 83,the air hose 84 and the PTC heater 11 of the end cylindrical member 10,and is blown out from the end cylindrical member 10. Accordingly, byblowing hot air heated by the PTC heater 11 as well as cool air from theend cylindrical member 10, the hair can be easily dried. On the otherhand, the mist sent from the hose attachment 64 which is connected tothe mist by-pass hose 62 passes through the mist hose 66 and enters intothe air hose 84. Then, the mist is blown out from the end cylindricalmember 10 independently or with the air passing through the air hose 84.Since the mist collides with the inner wall of the flexible mist hose 66during passing through it, the mist having a large diameter becomeswater drops in the mist hose 66. Accordingly, the uniformity of the mistdiameter can be improved.

Set forth below is the explanation of the mist generating tank 30 andthe mist heater 70. FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view taken along line6--6 of FIG. 3A. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7--7of FIG. 6. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 8--8 ofFIG. 4.

The bottom surface of the water storage chamber 32 (shown in FIG. 6)corresponds to the upper surface of the plate 18, and the side wall isformed by a cylindrical pipe 32a. On a circumferential of the bottomsurface, four pieces of ultrasonic vibration elements 18b are providedat a pitch of 90° in relation to the supplement water inlet 18a formedat the center of the bottom surface. Above the individual ultrasonicvibration elements 18b, mist collecting pipes 34 are formed with theircenter axes being identical with those of the elements 18b. The mistcollecting pipes 34 penetrate the partition board 31 so as to connectthe mist storage chamber 33 and the water storage chamber 32. As shownin FIG. 7, the position of the lower end of the mist collecting pipes 34is higher than the maximum water level HH of the water level range,which is controlled based on the result of a water level detector 90(see FIG. 7).

Two water surface dividing pipes 36, which penetrates the partitionboard 31, are provided on the above-mentioned circumference at a pitchof 180°. Those pipes 36 are positioned below the minimum water level HLof the water level range but short of the upper surface of the plate 18.Since the water surface in the water surface dividing pipe 36 isseparated from the other water surface area, unexpected movement of thewater surface caused by the movement of the mist blower 1, etc. rarelyaffects the water surface in the pipe 36. More specifically, the waterlevel in the water surface dividing pipe 36 reflects the water level ofthe water storage chamber 32. Moreover, the water level detector 90 fordetecting the water level of the water storage chamber 32 is fixed tothe plate 18. The water level detector 90 detects the water level bymeans of a float 91 which reacts with the change in the water level ofthe water surface dividing pipe 36.

The water level detector 90 outputs a signal for indicating the maximumwater level HH when the float 91 goes up and attains an upper head 93 ofa float pillar 92, and outputs a signal for indicating the minimum waterlevel HL when the float 91 goes down and attains a lower base 94. Thesesignals are sent to the control unit 16 by a signal wire 95. Based onthe detected result, the control unit 16 controls the ultrasonicvibration elements 18b. In detail, based on the detected result of thewater level detector 90, the control unit 16 reads three grades of thewater level, i.e., "High level", "Normal level" and "Low level", andinforms the operator of the water level by turning on and off anindicator such as LED (not shown) or actuating a buzzer or the like.Moreover, the control unit 16 actuates or stops the ultrasonic vibrationelements 18b to control the volume of the mist to be generated bycorrelating the above-mentioned detected result with the water level ofthe water storage tank 32 in high accuracy. It is, therefore, possibleto prevent the damage of the ultrasonic vibration elements 18b and torender uniform the diameter of the mist particles to be generated.

The explanation of the mist heater 70 is set forth below with referenceto FIG. 8. The mist heater 70 consists of a first, a second, and a thirdcylindrical members 71, 72 and 73. Those cylindrical members arearranged so they have a common axis. One end of each the individual longcylindrical members are connected with a circular end plate 74. Thefirst cylindrical member 71 is built within the second cylindricalmember 72, and the second cylindrical member 72 is built within thethird cylindrical member 73. Each cylindrical member is fixed to theother cylindrical members. In the first cylindrical member 71, made ofbrass, a bar heater 71a having almost same length as the firstcylindrical member 71 is inserted. At a distal end of the thirdcylindrical member 73, a closed bowl 73a, which makes a closedcylindrical space between the second cylindrical member 72 and the thirdcylindrical member 73, is connected. This cylindrical space is filledwith heat insulating material. At the other end of the secondcylindrical member 72, a funnel-shaped hot mist exhaust pipe 76 isattached in the manner that its narrow-mouthed portion penetrates theclosed bowl 73a. Moreover, one end of the hot mist induction pipe 63 isconnected to the narrow-mouthed portion of the hot mist exhaust pipe 76.

A mist flowing pipe 77, which functions as an attachment of the mistinduction pipe 61, is installed near the end plate 74 in the secondcylindrical member 72 so as to penetrate the second and the thirdcylindrical members in their radial directions. Moreover, a temperaturesensor 79 for detecting the temperature of a cylindrical mist path 78a,i.e., a space between the external surface of the first cylindricalmember 71 and the inner surface of the second cylindrical member 72, isformed in the same side of the second cylindrical member 72. Since theinner diameter of the mist flowing pipe 77 is smaller than that of thesecond cylindrical member 72, it takes time to pass the mist through thecylindrical mist path 78. As a result, the mist is appropriately heated.On the other hand, a lead wire 71b for supplying current to a signalwire 79a, connected to the temperature sensor 79 and to the bar heater71a, is distributed to the control unit 16. The control unit 16 controlsthe air blowing amount of the mist blower 50 and the pre-heating of thebar heater 71a as well as the volume of the mist to be generated and theheating of the bar heater 71a. Accordingly, the hot mist, which isheated up to a desired temperature by the mist heater 70, or unheatedcold mist passes through the flexible mist hose 66, and blown out fromthe end cylindrical member 10 independently or with the above-mentionedhot air or cool air. It is, therefore, possible to easily executemoistening, dressing, or drying the hair by the hot air including mist,while preventing excessive drying of the hair.

As described in the above, the mist blower 1 of the present embodimentis equipped with the outside air blower 80 for blowing a large amount ofair taken from the outside, the flexible air hose 84 for sending the airto the end cylindrical member 10, and the end cylindrical member 10 inwhich the PTC heater 11 is inserted in the through hole. Accordingly, itis possible to easily dry the hair by blowing hot or cool air from theend cylindrical member 10. Moreover, the mist blower 1 includes the mistgenerating tank 30 which can easily control the particle diameter of themist to be extremely small (3 μm approx.) in comparison with steamparticles by actuating the ultrasonic vibration elements 18b, and alsoincludes the flexible mist hose 66 for sending the hot mist heated bythe mist heater 70 or unheated cool mist blown by the mist blower 50 tothe end cylindrical member 10. It is, therefore, possible to moisten thehair by spraying the micro-diameter hot or cool mist independently orwith the hot or cool air. Such construction of the mist blower 1provides some advantages. First, even an inexperienced person can easilydress or dry the hair while keeping the moisture around the hair byusing the hot air including the mist. Accordingly, excessive drying ofthe hair can be prevented and the appropriate hair moisture content canbe maintained by permeating the micro-diameter mist into the hair evenin the drying operation. As a result, damage such as splitting andtearing of the hair can be prevented. It is also effective to increasethe efficiency in hairdressing of dry kinky hair and to finish the hairin a moist condition.

Moreover, since the heating condition of the bar heater 71a iscontrolled by the temperature sensor 79 of the mist heater 70, the mistcan be maintained at a desired temperature. Therefore, safety can beassured without fear of getting scalded by the hot steam, and the mistcontrolled at the temperature suitable for usage can be sprayed to thehair. Accordingly, the elasticity of the hair will not be excessivelydecreased. For example, by using a steam cap 100 made of a thin film ofnylon, etc., as shown in FIG. 9, it is possible to apply curling withoutdeteriorating elasticity of the hair during perming.

In this case, an attachment 100a of the steam cap 100 is inserted in anattachment insertion hole 10c of the end cylindrical member 10. Then,the mist at the desired temperature is supplied to inflate the steam cap100, so that the inside of the steam cap 100 is controlled at thetemperature and the humidity appropriate to the hair. Thus, the hair iscurled without deteriorating its elasticity. Since the steam cap 100 ismade of a thin film and it is very light, it is possible to freely movethe head so that the fatigue of the neck can be lightened, though in aconventional hard hood the position of the head is intentionally fixed.Moreover, since the minute-diameter mist improves the permeability ofthe treatment liquid or the perming liquid into the hair, beautifulfinishing can be realized.

In addition to the above-mentioned effects, the mist blower 1 of thepresent embodiment provides excellent advantages as set forth below.

First, since the weight of the end cylindrical member 10 is light, theload applied to the wrist and the arm of the hairdressing operator canbe lightened.

Second, since the mist is often sprayed on the hand of the hairdressingoperator, the skin of the hand of the operator can be protected fromdrying.

The supplement water storage chamber 23 of the water tank 20communicates with the water storage chamber 32, so that the water levelsof the both chambers are same. When the mist blower 1 is moved,therefore, the same motion, i.e., ripple is generated on the watersurface. Such motion of the water surface can be prevented in thisembodiment. At the upper end of the supplement water storage chamber 23,an intermediate plate 21 is provided a little interval left from themaximum water level HH. This intermediate plate 21 restrains the motionof the water surface in the supplement water storage chamber 23, therebyalso controlling the motion of the water surface in the water storagechamber 32.

Since the water supply/drain pipe 40 connects the water tank 20 and themist generating tank 30 under the plate 18, i.e., at the portion lowerthan the bottom surface, it is possible to prevent hair and dust in thewater tank 20 from flowing into the mist generating tank 30.Accordingly, the mist can be constantly generated from the mistgenerating tank 30. Moreover, since hair and dust can be easily removedfrom the drain valve 43, maintenance operations such as exchange of thewater can be easily carried out.

The mist generating tank 30 is equipped with the mist storage chamber33. The generated mist passes through the mist collecting pipe 34 andflows into the mist storage chamber 33. Then the mist is sent from theside surface of the mist storage chamber 33 by means of the mist by-passpipe 62. Since the mist having a large particle diameter collides withthe upper surface of the mist storage chamber 33 and changes into thewater drops, only the mist having a small particle diameter is sent intothe mist conducting pipe 61 or the mist by-pass pipe 61 with the airsent by the mist blower 50. Also in the flexible mist hose 66, the mistin a large diameter collides with the inner surface of the mist hose 66and changes into the water drops. Accordingly, only the mist in a moreuniform minute-diameter can be selected by passing the mist through themist hose 66.

Moreover, the mist generating tank 30 of the mist blower 1 of thepresent embodiment is equipped with the water storage chamber 32 and themist storage chamber 33 which are divided into the upper and the lowerparts by the partition board 31. The water storage chamber 32 and themist storage chamber 33 partially communicate with each other by meansof the mist collecting pipe 34, which is formed such that it penetratesthe partition board 31. Therefore, the air flow passing upward throughthe mist collecting pipe 34 becomes a winding air flow from the upperend of the mist collecting pipe 34 in the mist storage chamber 33.Moreover, since the air is sent by the air blower 50 into the waterstorage chamber 32, the above-mentioned air flow obtains force from theair. The mist generated by the vibration of the ultrasonic vibrationelements 18b, therefore, is sent by the forced air flow into the mistcollecting pipe 34 and flows into the mist storage chamber 33 (see FIG.3A). Then the mist floats in the mist storage chamber 33 with theabove-mentioned winding air flow. On the other hand, the mist particlesin a large diameter collide with the upper plate or the side wall of themist storage chamber 33 because of their mass and surface area, orcollide with the bottom surface during floating in the mist storagechamber 33, and change into water drops. Namely, in the mist generatingtank 30, only the uniformed minute-diameter mist particles are selectedand blown out with the air sent by the mist blower from the side surfaceof the mist storage chamber 33 into the mist conducting pipe 61 or themist by-pass pipe 62. Among the mist particles flown into the flexiblemist hose 66, the large-diameter mist particles collide with the innersurface of the mist hose 66 and change into water drops. Namely, onlythe uniformed minute-diameter mists are selected and blown out from theend cylindrical member 10.

Moreover, the water tank 20 for supplying water to the mist generatingtank 30 is equipped with the supplement water storage chamber 23 forstoring the water supplied from the water supply container 24. Thesupplement water storage chamber 24 and the water storage chamber 32 ofthe mist generating tank 30 are connected under the plate 18 by means ofthe water supply/drain pipe 40. Namely, these two chambers 24 and 32communicate under the bottom surfaces. Accordingly, hair and dust arecollected in the communicating path 41 of the water supply/drain pipe 40or in the drain pipe 42, and only the water flows from the water tank 20into the mist generating tank 30. Namely, the hairs and the dust thatprevent the vibration of the ultrasonic vibration element 18b from beingtransmitted to the water do not exist in the water stored in the mistgenerating tank 30. It is, therefore, possible to stably generate themist from the mist generating tank 30. Moreover, maintenance operationssuch as exchange of water can be easily executed because hair and dustcan be easily removed from the drain valve 43.

On the other hand, the water surface dividing pipe 36, one end of whichis sinking in the water of the storage chamber 32, functions to separatethe water surface within the pipe from other areas and to stabilize thedisplacement of the water surface in the pipe (see FIG. 7). The waterlevel detector 90 detects the water level in the water surface dividingpipe 36 as the water level of the mist generating tank 30. Accordingly,the water level detector 90 excludes the change in the water levelcaused by a temporary movement of the mist blower 1, i.e., the change inthe water level in which the actual water storage amount in the waterstorage chamber 32 is not reflected, and accurately detects the waterstorage amount in the water storage chamber 32. Based on this result,the actuating control of the ultrasonic vibration element 18b can beaccurately executed by the control unit 16 in corresponding to the waterstorage amount of the water storage chamber 32. The ultrasonic vibrationelement 18b provides the ultrasonic vibration, i.e., the ultrasonicenergy, to the water to generate the mist from the surface of the water.In this sense, the distance from the water surface exerts a remarkableeffect upon the atomization characteristics. Namely, the control of theultrasonic vibration element corresponding to the water level isimportant to generate the mist in a uniform diameter. In the method ofthe present embodiment for controlling the ultrasonic vibration element18b, the diameter of the mist can be uniformed when the mist isgenerated, so that the damage of the ultrasonic vibration element 18bcan be prevented. On the other hand, since the supplement water storagechamber 23 of the water tank 20 and the water storage chamber 32communicate with each other, the water levels of the both water storagechambers are the same. When the mist blower 1 is moved, therefore, thesame wave motion occurs in the both chambers. However, the movement ofthe water surface in the supplement water storage chamber 23 iscontrolled by the intermediate board 21 which is provided at the upperend of the supplement water storage chamber 23 a little distance apartfrom the maximum water level HH. Consequently, the motion of the watersurface in the water storage chamber 32 is also controlled. Thus, thewater surface in the water storage chamber 32 is stabilized, and theuniformity of the mist particle diameter can be promoted.

As described in the above, the mist blower 1 of the present embodimentselects the generated mist and changes the large-diameter mist particlesinto water drops to exclude them. Moreover, the mist blower 1 preventsthe inclusion of hair, etc., which may interrupt the transmission of thevibration generated by the ultrasonic vibration elements 18b. Inaddition, the water storage amount can be maintained at a constantlevel, so that the actuating control of the ultrasonic vibrationelements 18b can be realized with high accuracy in corresponding to theconstant water level. Thus, the mist particles, the diameter of which isuniformed at approximately 3 μm, can be blown out from the endcylindrical member 10.

Moreover, the mist blower 1 provides excellent effects in the protectionof hair and the maintenance of the gloss of the hair by supplying themist (moisture) into the hair to maintain the appropriate moisturecontent even in drying the hair.

The atomizer of the present invention is not necessarily limited to theabove-mentioned embodiment. Various modifications and variations may bepossible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.To use a conventional hand dryer, for example, the outside air blower 80and the relative parts such as air hose 84, and the PTC heater 11 of theend cylindrical member 10 may be excluded from the atomizer of theabove-mentioned embodiment. Such construction is preferable in reducingthe manufacturing cost. In the atomizer having such construction, anattachment of the end cylindrical member 10 is set near the blow-outhole of the hand dryer, and the mist is mixed in hot air or cool airblown out from the hand dryer. Moreover, operational efficiency in hairdressing can be improved by installing the power supply of the handdryer in the atomizer and by linking the ON/OFF switch of the hand dryerwith that of the ultrasonic vibration elements.

The mist heater 70 is composed of the long first cylindrical member 71provided along the direction in which the mist passes and the bar heater71a inserted in the first cylindrical member 71. The cylindrical mistpath 78 which is formed along the bar heater 71a is also long, so thatthe time for passing the mist through the cylindrical mist path 78 islong. Accordingly, the mist passing through the cylindrical mist path 78is heated up to a desired temperature without the fear of scalding bythe bar heater 71a which can control the heating condition. Then, themist is blown out from the end cylindrical member 10 as the hot mistwhile keeping the temperature. The cylindrical mist path 78 is acylindrical space composed of the first cylindrical member 78 and thesecond cylindrical member 72. In this cylindrical space, the mistflowing pipe 77 is provided at a certain angle (90° in this embodiment)to the peripheral wall of the second cylindrical member 72. Namely, thepath for passing the mist is bent from the outlet of the mist flowingpipe 77. Consequently, the motion of the mist entered from the mistflowing pipe 77 into the cylindrical mist path 78 is changed to spirallymove in the cylindrical mist path 78 toward the hot mist exhaust pipe76. Since it takes time for the mist to pass through the cylindricalmist path 78, the mist can be efficiently heated at a predeterminedtemperature. Moreover, the spiral movement of the mist can be promotedby setting the mist flowing pipe 77 to be offset in relation to thecenter axis of the second cylindrical member 72. The inner diameter ofthe mist flowing pipe 77 is smaller than the effective diameter of thecylindrical mist path 78, i.e., the inner diameter of the secondcylindrical member 72. Accordingly, the traveling speed of the mistentered from the mist flowing pipe 77 into the cylindrical mist path 78is reduced. As a result, the time for passing the mist through thecylindrical mist path 78 is extended, so that the mist can beefficiently heated. Since the funnel-shaped hot mist exhaust pipe 76with a narrow-mouthed portion whose diameter is smaller than that of thecylindrical mist path 78 is provided at the end of the cylindrical mistpath 78, the mist stays in the cylindrical mist path 78, thereby thetime for passing the mist through the cylindrical mist path 78 can beextended. Thus, the mist can be efficiently heated. If a throttle forchanging the sectional area of the path is provided at thenarrow-mouthed portion of the hot mist exhaust pipe 76, the time forpassing the mist can be controlled. Accordingly, the heating of the mistcan be executed even by reducing the heating time, i.e., the powersupplying time by the bar heater 71a, which results in energy saving.

The mist hose 66 for inducting the mist into the end cylindrical member10 is connected to the air hose 84. When the air flows in the air hose84, load is applied to the upper connecting portion. This load functionsto blow out the mist in the mist hose 66 from the end cylindrical member10 with the air sent by the outside air blower 80. Thus, the operatingtime of the mist blower 50 attached in the mist generating bath 30 canbe reduced, which also enables energy savings.

Moreover, since the mist blower 1 of the present embodiment is able toblow out the air including the mist at a predetermined temperature, itis also available to a facial treatment steamer, the so-called facialsteamer for applying moisture to the facial skin as well as the purposeof hair dressing. FIG. 10 shows a sectional view and a view in thedirection of arrow A of a facial nozzle 110 to be attached to the endcylindrical member 10 when the mist blower 1 is used as a facialsteamer.

A cap 111 of the facial nozzle 110 is a cylindrical member having asemi-spherical end and a deep hole 111a in its center. Around theperipheral wall of the cap 111 near the bottom of the deep hole 111a, amist blow-out hole 111b is formed. In the deep hole 111a, a mistblow-out pipe 112 is fixedly inserted, and a closed cylindrical space113 is formed between the inner surface of the cap 111 and the outersurface of the mist blow-out pipe 112. An L-shaped through hole 112a isformed in the mist blow-out pipe 112, and an outlet 112b of the throughhole 112a is facing to the mist blow-out hole 111b of the cap 111.Moreover, a bearing member 112d is engaged in an end portion 112c of themist blow-out pipe 112. The facial nozzle 110 is attached to the endcylindrical member 10 of the mist blower 1 by means of the bearingmember 112d. One end of a water drops drain pipe 114 installed in thethrough hole 112a of the mist blow-out pipe 112 penetrates theperipheral wall of the mist blow-out pipe 112, and reaches theabove-mentioned cylindrical space 113 so as to connect this space andthe outside. The length of the water drops drain pipe 114 is controlledso that the other end 114a is inserted into the end cylindrical member10 and reaches the mist hose 66 when the facial nozzle 110 is attachedto the end cylindrical member 10. Moreover, a cushion member 115 havingcontinuous air bubbles is put between the outlet 112b and the mistblow-out hole 111b.

The facial steamer is used by holding the facial nozzle 110 with a handand spraying unheated cold mist or hot mist controlled at apredetermined temperature blown out from the mist blow-out hole 111bonto the face to apply moisture to the facial skin.

Since the facial nozzle 110 is freely rotatable by the bearing member112b, no twisting force is applied to the end cylindrical member 10.Accordingly, the air hose 84 is never twisted. When the mist is changedto the water drops near the outlet 112b of the through hole 112a, thecushion member 115 holds the water drops in its continuous air bubbles,so that the water drops will never leak from the mist blow-out hole111b. Moreover, the water drops collected in the continuous air bubblesare withdrawn or drained by the water drops drain pipe 114, so that theleakage of the water drops from the mist blow-out hole 111b can besurely prevented.

On the other hand, by mixing deodorant or fragrance into the supplementwater, it is possible to remove the smell of the perming liquid duringperming, or apply fragrance to the hair.

The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment.Various other changes in form and modifications may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, it ispossible to provide a filter made of absorbent to absorb the medicinalelement of the perming liquid, the treatment liquid and the hair dyingliquid as well as minute dusts, etc. at the bottom of the supplementwater storage chamber 23 in which the water drops flow by means of thewater drops collecting pipes 65a and 65b. By installing such a filter,purified water can be constantly applied to the water storage chamber32.

FIELD OF INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION

As described in detail hereinbefore, in the atomizer for hairdressing ofthe present invention, the liquid particles having a few μm diameter orless generated by the ultrasonic vibration can be controlled at apredetermined temperature, and the liquid particles can be blown outindependently or with hot or cool air.

With this equipment, the dressing and drying of the hair can be easilyexecuted while keeping the moisture of the hair. Even in the hair dryingoperation, the humidity around the hair can be constantly maintained inan appropriate condition. Consequently, excessive drying of the hair canbe prevented, and the moisture content in the hair can be maintained atan appropriate condition by constantly supplying moisture into the hair.Namely, it is possible to protect the hair from damage such as tearingand splitting of the hair, and also to increase the efficiency in thehair dressing operation. Moreover, it is quite safe because there is nofear of being scalded. Furthermore, since the liquid particlescontrolled at an appropriate temperature, corresponding to theindividual usage such as perming, etc., can be sprayed to the hair, itis possible to prevent deterioration of elasticity of the hair. Theatomizer of the present invention has a wide range of uses such asperming, coloring, treatment, nourishment of the hair, blow finishing,facial steamer, etc. Moreover, if this atomizer is used as a humidifyingequipment, it is possible to provide humidity without reducing the roomtemperature. When it is used as a fuel injection equipment, the timerequired for ignition can be reduced.

I claim:
 1. An atomizer for hairdressing comprising:an air feeding meansfor intaking air and for forcibly feeding the air; an air ventilationmeans composed of a flexible member for forming an air path in which airis sent by the air feeding means; an end heating means for optionallyheating the air passing through the air path, which is provided at ablow-out hole of the air sent by the air feeding means; a liquidparticle generating means being equipped with an electricity-mechanicalpower conversion element for oscillating a collected liquid to generatemicro-size diameter liquid particles from the surface of the collectedliquid by means of the vibration of the electricity-mechanical powerconversion element; and a liquid particles heating and inducting meanswhich is provided between the liquid particle generating means and theair ventilating means for optionally heating the liquid particlesgenerated by the liquid particle generating means and for inducting theliquid particles into the path of the air ventilating means.
 2. Anatomizer as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:a supplement storingmeans for storing liquid to supplement the liquid stored in the liquidparticle generating means; a water level detection means for detectingthe water level of the stored liquid; and a conversion element controlmeans for controlling the actuation of the electricity-mechanical powerconversion element of the liquid particle generating means based on theresult of the water level detection means; a space dividing means whichforms a dividing portion for dividing the space above the surface of theliquid stored in the liquid tank into an upper space and a lower space;a path constructing means for constructing a path which penetrates thedividing portion to partially connect the upper space and the lowerspace; an air supplying means for supplying air to the lower space; anda blow-out hole being formed on the side wall of the liquid tank fordirectly connecting the upper space and the outside air.
 3. An atomizeras claimed in claim 1, further comprising:a supplement storing means forsupplementing liquid to the liquid stored in the liquid particlegenerating means; a water level detection means for detecting the waterlevel of the stored liquid; and a conversion element control means forcontrolling the actuation of the electricity-mechanical power conversionelement of the liquid particle generating means based on the result ofthe water level detection means; wherein the supplement means includes asupplement water storage portion for storing the liquid to besupplemented to the liquid tank of the liquid particle generating means;a supplement liquid path extending from the portion below the bottom ofthe liquid tank to the liquid tank to supply the liquid to the tank; asupplement water pumping portion, which is provided between thesupplement water path and the supplement water storage portion, forforcibly feeding the liquid stored in the supplement water storageportion into the supplement water path in response to a predeterminedwater level in the liquid tank; and an open/close drain pipe which isconnected to the lowest portion of the supplement water path.
 4. Anatomizer as claimed in claim 3, further comprising:a supplement meansfor supplementing liquid to the liquid particle generating means; awater level detection means for detecting the water level of the storedliquid; and a conversion element control means for controlling theactuation of the electricity-mechanical power conversion element of theliquid particle generating means based on the result of the water leveldetection means; wherein the water level detection means includes a wavemotion interrupting portion for interrupting the wave motion generatedon the surface of liquid stored in the liquid tank from spreading withina predetermined range of the liquid surface; and a water level detectingportion for detecting the water level in the predetermined range of thewave motion interrupting motion.
 5. An atomizer as claimed in claim 1,further comprising:a liquid particle blowing means for inducting theliquid particles generated by the liquid particle generating means intoa blowing path and for blowing out the particles from a blow-out holewith an air flow in the path; and a long heating means being arrangedalong the blowing path of the liquid particle blowing means.